Easton School Board Backs Music Program Reorganization

Members of the Easton Area School Board last night raised a chorus of support for a preliminary report by the administration calling for reorganization of the district's music program.

The report presented by Joseph Piazza, director of elementary education, recommends that a position of music coordinator be established to oversee the program from kindergarten through grade 12.

It also calls for consolidation of separate bands into one unified band. Piazza cited the existence of a concert band and a marching band at Easton Area High School, and said, "We must look at whether we can continue to have that . . . or combine programs."

Piazza acknowledged that consolidation would be "touchy," but said, "We must do the best with the resources we have available."

He also said, "There is a severe need for a proper inventory procedure" to keep track of the musical instruments owned by the district, and that some kinds of records must be established to know how many students play each instrument and where they are in the educational system.

To boost student turnout for various musical classes and programs, Piazza suggested recruiting. He said, "The way we do it now is a kind of a hit-and- miss system. Too much seems to be based on chance. If you don't make the effort, usually you won't get the child."

Another area that Piazza said needs attention is scheduling of music classes.

Superintendent Dr. William Moloney added, "One reason children do not choose music is because we put obstacles in their way." But he said, "We do not do it on purpose."

He said that some students do not try out for the high school band because they havepart-time jobs after school when the rehearsals are held. Or, he said, they are gifted athletes who try out for sports teams.

Moloney said, "We force youngsters into painful choices."

Piazza also said the musical instruments in the district must be upgraded and that the 14 music teachers in the district must be used "to the greatest advantage."

He said the report "is at best a beginning, but a dramatic beginning. It will not be an easy row to hoe. It is important that all egos get put aside and we work to a common good."

Board member Marilyn Golden praised the report, but suggested that more students would try out for bands at the high school if they had some tangible reward they could achieve. She said, "I think we have to address why interest wanes."

Piazza said the district must influence children, as it does at the middle school, where students are recruited.

Board member Mildred Kovar called Piazza's report "excellent." As for making the best use of the teachers available, she said, "I believe strongly that teachers shouldn't have to monitor hallways."

Board member Dorothy Gollub told Piazza, "Your depth of analysis is fantastic." She said, "In the past 20 years, I have watched the districttotally demolish the instrumental music program. The problem lies not with the teachers, but with the administration."

But she cautioned, "It is going to take six years to rebuild what this district has destroyed in the past 10 years. We are going to have to give Dr. Moloney time."

Moloney said more meetings with administrators and interested citizens are necessary before final recommendations are made to the board. He said another report would be made as soon as possible.

The board also voted to change graduation requirements at Easton Area High School, mandating an extra six-tenths of a credit overall in grades 9-12. The changes had been submitted by the administration two weeks ago.

Beginning with the graduating class of 1989, graduation requirements have been raised from 23.4 credits to 24, and the composition of the courses contained in the 24 credits has also changed.

Students will be required to take four credits of social studies during their high school years, compared to three now required. Physical education and health and computer education requirements were also changed.

The board approved a policy requiring people hired or rehired by the district on or after Jan. 1 to submit a copy of their criminal history record with their employment application. No person who has been convicted of a crime in the five years preceding the date of the report will be hired.

The policy requires the job applicant to pay for obtaining the report.

Independent contractors and their employees who have no direct contact with children will be exempt from filing the criminal history record.

A change in the rules and regulations of the Easton Area Earned Income Tax Office was also approved. Instead of paying the fourth quarter installment of a the estimated taxbill by Jan. 15 as had been required previously, a taxpayer now may elect to file a final return by Jan 31 and pay any taxes due without incurring a penalty.

The board scheduled its reorganization meeting Dec. 2, and presented gifts to departing members Eleanore J. Woodring and Michael Ciavarella. The two also received lifetime passes to all district activities.